REAL MADRID manager Zinedine Zidane has told Florentino Perez to lower his demands for James Rodriguez.
Manchester United have been linked with the Colombia star but have been put off by the Spanish side’s asking price.
They want to recoup the £66m (€75m) they paid to sign Rodriguez from Monaco back in 2014.
Diario Gol say Zidane has told Perez to accept offers of £53m (€60m) though as he has no plans to use the 25-year-old in his first-team next season.
United are only willing to spend £44m (€50m) on the midfielder though as they know Real don’t consider him to be one of their key players.
Jose Mourinho has already been busy this summer, completing the signing of Victor Lindelof from Benfica.
And Starsport understand United are closing in on the £40m signing of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea as well.
But the Red Devils are still searching for a replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic with Rodriguez’ team-mate Alvaro Morata said to be Mourinho’s top target.
Rodriguez played just 22 times in La Liga last season, scoring 8 goals and providing six assists.
The midfielder has reportedly agreed personal terms with United but the clubs are still wrangling over their different valuations of the player.
Rodriguez’ international team-mate Carlos Bacca has also spoken on the Real star’s future.
He said: “It is not easy to make the decision to leave Real Madrid and go to another club.
“He must have a cool head, as he is doing because he is a professional.”